What IS going on with my silver baby, you ask? When we last discussed her, she was an empty, decimated hulk, stripped of her birch wood and personality. 

That's pretty much where we STILL are. Painful, I know. Courage, my dears, courage.

Enough lamenting! Time to get the action started again. I am part of the reason for the delay- so many decisions to make. I've probably written before about my desire to balance original/ vintage with practical, best functionality for my life. There are a few conundrums to be solved... plenty of evenings have been spent debating them-  but it is time to get serious and come up with a PLAN. Let's jump in, shall we? 

It basically boils down to a design religious war: built in vs. free standing. 

Above is a similar layout to my trailer. The three main areas, Observation Lounge (OL), Galley and Bedroom are correctly identified/ sized. (My Galley is reversed: sink is on OL door side, stove backs up to bathroom corner of the bedroom. Sugar Plum just wandered up and she thinks it is important to the narrative that I disclose this fact.)  Wayyyy before my time, my dad took out the original galley table and replaced it with a bigger table and chairs. The table was fixed, and the chairs freestanding but had a device for securing while traveling. And... sorry Daddy... just does not work well. Too bulky, too hard to play cards at (um, yeah, critical!) just not a good fit. 

So, as of now, my idea is to build in a rectangular table, maybe a drop leaf so it can be collapsed? I have struggled with the whole booth idea, but I think I'm gonna go ahead and call it- No Booth for me. Alert the press!! Booths are charming, but I don't think I want something that big and fixed... works in some trailers, great in little tin cans, but I think I like the idea of flexibility...

I also like the idea of freestanding chairs. My M.O. in life is to be inclusive, not exclusive. So, I like making it easy to add room for more people to pull up and settle in. Or grab chairs and head outside. 

Naw, not him- the trailer. The trailer- with what appears to be a bounty of windows and doors. Behold a smoldering (and smoking, yuck) James Dean by his trailer on the set of Giant in Marfa, Texas. I don't recognize the make, but I do like those round windows. Is that THREE doors? What the heck is that? Mayyyy-be a Spartenette, but I don't think so? 

Sometimes I'm such a failure at esoteric knowledge! You'd think that being both interested in vintage and trailers, I would have mentally registered this rather well known image in the past and made the whole Marfa- Vintage Trailer- Cool Factor connection, but No. I came across the image today and was completely surprised to see the trailer.  

I have not been to the famed El Cosmico in Marfa; I admire the pictures I have seen and the vision, though. I am always happy to see people do cool things with these amazing old aluminum sculptures. 

So... anyone know what kind of trailer this is? Anyone? Grandma, are u out there? 

Sugar Plum says she wants her birthday party to be at the Spartan and to have an owl theme. Mind you- her birthday is not until February! But we are big believers in celebrating, and tossing ideas around for 6 months prior just adds to the happiness. 

It is also looking increasingly like we will not be done with the renovation until early 2014, so this gives us a good goal. 

The plan is to park at a local campground and set up a picnic and party during the day. Old fashioned games outside, for the big daytime group and then settling in with just a small crew for over-night glamping.  Hot chocolate by the fire- or if we have Texas weather, iced drinks! February can go either way;) 

I love this vintage cake; but we will probably go for something easier to serve, say s'mores or cupcakes. 

Expect to see some party-planning ideas bouncing around on here. And be sure to let me know what kind of good ideas you have for a bunch of third grade campers!